If you read nothing else
- Safety first: move out of traffic if you can and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
- Photograph everything and get the other driver's insurance details before anyone leaves.
- Tell your insurer quickly, even if the crash was not your fault.
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- Photos: every car, every plate, the scene, any injuries
- Other driver: name, phone, license, insurer, policy number
- Witness names and numbers
- Police report number, if officers came
Take a screenshot so it is there when you need it.
Knowing how to file an auto insurance claim before you need to is the best way to avoid mistakes. In the moments after a crash, adrenaline takes over. People forget to take photos, apologize when they should not, or drive away without the other driver's insurance information.
The steps below are grouped by when you need them: at the scene, later that day and over the following weeks.
At the scene
Work down this list
Be polite, but do not argue about fault or admit fault. Let the insurers sort that out.
Later that day
- Report the claim to your insurer by phone, app or website. Have your policy number and photos ready.
- Write down what happened while it is fresh: time, place, direction of travel, weather.
- If you are hurt, see a doctor and keep every bill and record.
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- The adjuster callsAn adjuster reviews the damage, may inspect your car and decides what the policy pays. Keep notes on every call.
- RepairsIn most states you can choose your own repair shop, even if your insurer recommends one.
- PaymentYour insurer pays the shop or you, minus your deductible.
Should you file an auto insurance claim at all?
A scraped bumper and a $500 deductible
Alex backs into a pole. The repair estimate is $650 and Alex has a $500 deductible.
Filing would net $150, but an at-fault claim could raise Alex's premium at renewal by more than that. Paying out of pocket may be cheaper.
Illustrative example. Always report any accident involving another person or car, since an injury claim can surface later.
Your insurer or theirs?
File with their insurer
- Called a third-party claim
- Makes sense when the other driver is clearly at fault
- No deductible if they accept fault
File with your own
- Uses your collision coverage
- Often faster
- Your insurer may try to recover your deductible from theirs
In no-fault states, your own personal injury protection pays your medical bills first, whoever was at fault.
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If your car is totaled
When repairs would cost more than the car is worth, or more than a percentage your state sets, the insurer declares a total loss. It pays the car's actual cash value, its market value just before the crash, minus your deductible. If you owe more than that on a loan, gap insurance covers the difference.
If you disagree with the offer
- Ask for the estimate and valuation in writing.
- Send your own repair estimates and listings for comparable cars.
- Ask about your policy's appraisal clause.
- Escalate to a supervisor, then your state insurance department if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file an auto insurance claim?
Policies require prompt notice, and deadlines vary by insurer and state. Report the accident as soon as you safely can, ideally within a day or two.
Will filing a claim raise my insurance rate?
An at-fault claim often raises your premium at renewal. Claims where you were not at fault, and some comprehensive claims, are less likely to raise rates, depending on your insurer and state.
Do I need a police report to file a claim?
Not always, but it helps prove what happened, and many states require one when someone is injured or damage passes a set amount.
Can I choose my own repair shop?
In most states, yes. Your insurer may recommend shops, but you generally have the right to pick where your car is repaired.
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